CHESTER — For reasons that manager John Hackworth can’t exactly pinpoint, Columbus hasn’t been the warmest of hosts for the Philadelphia Union through the years.

Last year’s draw represented the first points the club had every taken against their Eastern Conference rivals in the Buckeye State, and travelling west this week to be the opponent in the Crew’s home opener Saturday (6 p.m., TCN) presents a daunting challenge.

Couple that with some bumps and bruises for the Union (1-0-1, 4 points) and the fact that the Crew (1-0-0, 3 points) are coming off an early-season bye week, and the Union will face a tall task in an early battle for supremacy in the Eastern Conference.

Advertisement

It’ll also be a test for two of the prospective reclamation projects in a drastically revamped East.

The Crew stumbled through injuries and inconsistency into eighth place in the East last year. This year, however, they seem to be starting on the right foot, opening with a 3-0 whitewashing of D.C. United two weeks ago. With Costa Rican forward Jairo Arrieta off the mark in the opener and midfield playmaker Federico Higuain pulling the strings in midfield, the Crew’s attack got off to a flying start away from home. The defense, reformed around Michael Parkhurst, also looked sharp.

And all that was without last year’s leading scorer, Dominic Oduro, who was suspended for the opener but figures to be in the mix this week.

“I think Gregg Berhalter has done a really good job taking over that team,” Hackworth said. “I think they had last year some pieces that were really good and have continued to play well together. They had a great first game at D.C.”

Oduro, especially, is a key matchup for the Union. The fleet-footed Ghanaian scored 13 goals last season and is dangerous when deployed as a forward and a winger, presenting a matchup problem at either location.

“When we played them in preseason, when he came into the game, he made a difference for them,” Hackworth said of Oduro. “His ability to stretch you and really pull the defense apart, in particular when Higuain is pulling all the strings on the ball, when you have the kind of speed that he has, it’s a handful to deal with.”

“Oduro is a speedy guy,” defender Amobi Okugo said. “Last year, he was probably one of their best players in terms of production. We knew we have to match up with his speed and be aware of him at all times. … Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, we just need to be prepared for him.”

The identity of Okugo’s central defense partner this week is somewhat in question. Austin Berry is listed as questionable with a hamstring strain that forced him to leave last week’s 1-0 win over New England early. Should he be unable to go, the responsibility could fall to either Aaron Wheeler, who deputized ably last week, or Ethan White.

Elsewhere, the Union seem to be regaining health with Conor Casey returning to full fitness after two weeks out with a calf injury.

• • •

The Union announced Friday the loan deals of Cristhian Hernandez and Jimmy McLaughlin to USL Pro affiliate Harrisburg City for the 2014 season. The deal has an open option to recall to the parent club. The duo will link up with the Islanders ahead of their April 5 season opener.

McLaughlin, 20, played 23 games and scored five goals with Harrisburg City last year. The 2011 Homegrown Player signee made one MLS appearance for the club in 2012.

Hernandez, 20, scored four times and added four assists in 20 matches for Harrisburg a season ago. Also signed as a Homegrown Player in 2011, the native of Guadalajara, Mexico, hasn’t appeared in MLS since two games totaling 26 minutes in 2012.